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Agrilus obsoletoguttatus
Beech Borer
Agrilus obsoletoguttatus is a small metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, native to North America. It is among the smallest jewel beetle species utilized as prey by the specialist predatory wasp Cerceris fumipennis, which provisions its underground nests with paralyzed buprestid beetles. The species has been documented in nest caches containing up to 13 individuals, reflecting its small size relative to larger buprestid prey.
Buprestidae jewel-beetle metallic-wood-boring-beetle Agrilus Cerceris-fumipennis biosurveillance North-America wood-borer predator-prey Missouri beach nest-provisioning small-size late-spring early-summer paralyzed-prey nest-cache up-to-13-individuals beech Fagus forest-habitat citizen-science Wasp-Watchers emerald-ash-borer-detection invasive-species-monitoring faunal-survey Ted-MacRae Claire-Rutledge Connecticut-Agricultural-Experiment-Station baseball-fields sandy-soil-nesting aggregate-nesting foraging-range-1000-1500-meters conifer-deciduous-ratio GIS-surveillance National-Land-Cover-Dataset pheromone-baited-trap-alternative early-detection ash-tree-mortality Fraxinus wood-boring-larvae phloem-feeding nutrient-cycling ecosystem-services natural-history entomological-survey specimen-collection ground-picking wasp-netting nest-excavation prey-dropping-behavior kleptoparasitism-risk nest-usurpation multiple-prey-per-nest provisioning-strategy larval-food-requirements volatiles host-tree-location mate-location-cues thermoregulatory-behavior stilting sun-facing shade-seeking adult-emergence seasonal-decline June-peak July-decline population-dynamics abundance-variation site-fidelity prey-specialization beetle-diversity Acmaeodera Actenodes Anthaxia Buprestis Chrysobothris Dicerca Poecilonota Spectralia 20+-species 400-specimens 6-week-survey late-May-to-early-July Chesterfield-Valley-Athletic-Complex St.-Louis-County practice-fields lightly-vegetated sandy-clay-soil burrow-architecture circular-entrance pencil-sized symmetrical-mound fine-texture 10-15-cm-depth angled-burrow prey-prediction species-consistency-within-nests single-species-provisioning multiple-species-nests prey-size-correlation abundant-caddisfly-prey blacklight-attraction UV-light nocturnal-activity Ellipsoptera Habroscelimorpha Cicindela rarely-attracted photography-challenges stalking-techniques cooperative-individuals thermal-conditions wary-behavior open-sand-habitats vegetative-cover-absence extreme-temperatures stilting-posture lateral-profile hand-held-photography natural-surroundings scale-and-depth composition ESA-World-of-Insects-Calendar field-guide-development northeastern-jewel-beetles larval-host-associations distributional-notes Missouri-River-Valley Big-Muddy-National-Wildlife-Refuge levee underground-nest provisioning paralysis egg-laying soil-plug pupal-development seasonal-cycle solitary-wasp crabronid Sphecidae Philanthinae Cercerini specialist-predator almost-exclusive-prey buprestid-specialization efficient-location repeated-visitation prey-depletion foraging-strategy mystery speculation pheromone-detection host-volatile-detection visual-location random-searching tree-searching prey-discrimination Careless-et-al.-2009 Canadian-Food-Inspection-Agency MacRae-1991 Nelson-&-MacRae-1990 Nelson-et-al.-1996 MacRae-&-Nelson-2003 MacRae-2004 MacRae-2006 Pearson-et-al.-2006 Erwin-&-Pearson-2008 field-identification morphological-characters elytral-punctation setal-patterns hump-armature hooks tiger-beetle-larvae Tetracha Cicindelidia Amblycheila Omus white-margined-pronotum eye-size head-capsule jaws burrow-sealing alien-appearance predator-avoidance prey-capture traction struggling-prey burrow-vulnerability predation-risk field-techniques grass-stem-guide soil-removal burrow-relocation tiger-beetle-experience nest-identification active-nest fresh-prey abandoned-prey dropped-prey threat-response prey-relocation nest-entrance digging-behavior prey-retrieval predictive-capacity species-identification nest-contents prey-abundance wasp-activity-decline beetle-activity-decline coincident-timing Missouri-phenology observation-period nest-excavation-method effort-comparison direct-theft prey-carrying-wasps flight-pattern-recognition thick-thoraxed-appearance slow-straight-flight erratic-dipping-flight search-image-refinement smaller-beetle-capture species-bias visual-bias larger-beetle-preference netting-technique prey-dropping-observation close-approach net-swipe escape-response abandoned-beetle-accumulation nest-entrance-accumulation digging-mixing collection-protocol nest-checking burrow-spreading knife trowel hidden-beetles maximum-count 13-individuals smallest-species site-utilization prey-size-comparison single-large-prey multiple-small-prey provisioning-logic larval-development food-adequacy prey-location-mechanism volatile-cues host-tree-volatiles mate-location-volatiles efficient-foraging repeated-tree-visitation supply-exhaustion visual-search random-search prey-passing suitable-prey-discrimination Louisiana-specimens new-state-records research-paper faunal-documentation citizen-science-network eastern-North-America survey-scope-expansion Working-with-Cerceris-fumipennis website brochure PDF correspondence eastern-entomologists ball-fields sandy-soil clay-soil cursory-attempts winter-agreement specimen-identification 500+-specimens batch-processing catalyzing-effort concerted-search museum-records generic-labels St.-Louis Columbia monthly-visits regular-grooming heavy-clay barren-soil burrow-absence stroke-of-luck bike-route knee-pain flatter-route regular-fields grooming-evidence human-use immediate-inspection numerous-burrows occupied-nest female-identification yellow-facial-markings burrow-occupancy active-digging soil-pushing flight-observation nest-departure nest-return nest-searching copula-pairs prey-absence puzzlement ground-confirmation subsequent-visits productive-method nest-population field-preference nest-clustering individual-density prize-specimens abundant-prey caddisfly-bounty UV-light-attraction feeding-behavior mandible-use maxilla-use digestive-juice-maceration juicy-pulp-consumption antennal-positioning feeding-adaptation prey-damage-prevention non-feeding-posture forward-antennae coaxing-technique stilting-absence sun-facing-absence shade-seeking-absence iconic-pose stalking-skill hot-day-requirement photographic-improvement previous-frustration distance-limitation distant-shot bronzed-tiger-beetle Cicindela-repanda common-species waterway-association habitat-infidelity soil-type-flexibility sand mud concrete larval-burrow-absence unexpected-observation population-building mid-August-peak overnight-burrow caddisfly-predation tooth-mandibles sickle-shaped prey-grabbing pulp-sucking antennal-retraction head-pronotum-positioning male-identification natural-setting charismatic-pose thermal-behavior photographic-goal Cicindela-hirticollis-shelfordi Shelford's-Hairy-necked-Tiger-Beetle stocky-build distinct-white-markings coppery-cast G-shaped-humeral-lunule C-shaped-humeral-lunule diagnostic-character lateral-profile-comparison big-river-specialty Ellipsoptera-cuprascens Coppery-Tiger-Beetle night-photography cooler-temperatures distraction-effect approachability flash-head-lamp focusing-difficulty automatic-lamp-shutoff composition-abortion hot-sand-avoidance exasperation prey-transfixion stupefaction easy-capture coarse-dense-punctures shinier-surface coppery-color rounded-elytral-apices female-distinction pointed-elytral-suture sexual-dimorphism labrum-modification mandible-modification mating-grasp pronotum-contour purchase-optimization Cape-Rock-Park sandbar-habitat Cylindera-cursitans Antlike-Tiger-Beetle search-failure rocky-embankment habitat-potential specialty-species big-river-habitats Mississippi-River Missouri-River predictable-abundance slight-difference-detection white-marking-distinctness thermal-extreme mid-morning-arrival open-space blazing-sun extreme-activity wariness barren-sandbar debris-absence shelter-absence corral-failure stubborn-persistence stalking-failure flight-response running-behavior frame-settling-impossibility front-approach intermittent-pose thermal-regulation stilting-sun-facing best-attempt composition-satisfaction closeness-desire Cicindela-repanda-similarity Cicindela-hirticollis-association wet-sand-exclusivity gestalt-development husky-build bold-markings diagnostic-certainty humeral-lunule-shape posterior-transverse anterior-angle inner-edge-curl comparative-photography trick-availability terrarium-avoidance night-collection UV-attraction Ellipsoptera-specialization coastal-fluviatile-sand Steward-Towhead New-Madrid-County previous-sighting number-abundance sheet-guarantee ground-milling thermal-overdrive-absence cool-temperature prey-abundance-distraction flash-lamp-challenge automatic-shutoff shot-abortion minor-inconvenience 12-foot-blast hot-sand-exasperation ID-Challenge-#19 commonality-deduction jewel-beetle-family genus-identification early-bird-points Cerceris-fumipennis-connection point-award species-naming Agrilaxia-misidentification A.-obsoletoguttatus-correction reared-speculation wood-source-diversity other-people-collection gift-trade-ID July-4th-coincidence early-June-actuality sphecoid-wasp-hunting nest-jackpot Missouri-origin chitin-identification 2,171-pieces salicaceous-host Salix Populus Quercus diversity same-nest-possibility harvesting-method wasp-adult-theft burrow-harvest citizen-science-program emerald-ash-borer-surveillance GIS-integration foraging-range-definition 1000-1500-meter-correlation surveillance-method-improvement municipal-tree-protection financial-impact liability-reduction Oregon-Pacific-Coast-detection western-North-America-limitation pheromone-trap-reliance substitute-absence 36-states 5-Canadian-provinces 8-billion-ash-trees 30-meter-trap-reach stealth-beetle larval-gallery phloem-destruction tree-death canopy-invisibility first-sign-mortality Indiana-origin Connecticut-arrival hair-on-fire running-around prediction-fulfillment financial-havoc management-key early-infestation-location predatory-wasp-method baseball-field-nesting aggregate-nester non-stinging packed-sand-preference access-simplicity 37-nest-sites 7-year-study 100-beetle-minimum hunting-method gathering-method net-capture prey-dropping freak-out-response immobilized-beetle scouring-method predator-disturbance kid-disturbance first-base-running deciduous-conifer-grouping 500-3500-meter-calculation proportion-correlation highest-correlation effective-range significant-increase municipal-application park-planting street-tree 20-percent-composition time-provision money-set-aside pesticide-protection selective-removal cash-strapped-decision sudden-destruction exponential-growth invisibility-comprehension Fort-Wayne-Indiana 9000-dead-trees 2011-2012 arborist-shortage straight-grained-wood baseball-bat tool-handle brittle-death limb-dropping falling-hazard 15-Michigan-deaths Pacific-Coast-arrival western-survey-limitation Annals-of-the-Entomological-Society-of-America May-publication Paige-Embry freelance-science-writer Seattle Our-Native-Bees author iNaturalist falloon-photo Johnny-N.-Dell-photo Bugwood.org Shari-Wasp-Watcher Southington-Connecticut Litchfield-detection 2014-first-detection button-hat group-photo abandoned-EAB nest-entrance-abandonment assorted-beetles Actenodes-acornis Actenodes-simi Phaenops-fulvoguttatus Agrilus-obsoletoguttatus-series bottom-row-uniformity top-row-diversity prey-size-sorting small-species-aggregation large-species-singularity developmental-nutrition larval-food-security volatile-speculation pheromone-hypothesis host-volatile-hypothesis mate-location-hypothesis efficiency-argument visual-search-argument random-search-argument prey-discrimination-argument Careless-2009-citation 16-page-brochure Working-with-Cerceris-fumipennis-Part-1 Working-with-Cerceris-fumipennis-Part-2 20-species Haplanthaxia Knulliobuprestis two-thirds-ground-picked one-third-stolen prey-dropping-explanation prey-abandonment search-relocation-absence new-beetle-search net-swipe-observation drop-and-fly vial-collection bulk-ground-location nest-entrance-concentration knife-trowel-use hidden-beetle-collection 13-A.-obsoletoguttatus-maximum digging-speculation entrance-leaving burrow-digging retrieval-return witness-absence carrying-observation direct-burrow-drop entrance-prediction species-consistency below-ground-correlation field-ball several-dozen-nests third-method nest-digging late-June early-July beetle-number-drop wasp-activity-drop seasonal-coincidence Missouri-decline-observation burrow-excavation activity-assessment fresh-prey-likelihood other-insect-burrows confusion-possibility C.-fumipennis-burrow perfectly-circular C.-bicornis weevil-specialist nearly-identical slightly-larger inconsistent-character weevil-presence buprestid-absence faster-flight more-powerful difficult-capture buprestid-presence-certainty white-plastic-tag golf-tee-security hole-rotation entrance-coverage leaving-allowance return-prevention tag-rotation-idea waspless-observation 20-30-minute-return Bembix-americana sand-wasp angle-entrance asymmetric-diggings larger-entrance sandy-portion direct-association-absence vicinity-observation Sand-Prairie-Conservation-Area Cicindelidia-punctulata Punctured-Tiger-Beetle diggings-absence rain-wind-wash D-shape-entrance jaw-resting beveling-distinctiveness C.-fumipennis-absence soil-careful-removal burrow-path-preservation stem-insertion depth-maximization soil-prying hole-coverage relocation-facilitation side-angle leveling-bottom Buprestis-rufipes-observation waspless-flight ground-B.-rufipes expected-bottom-finding Madison-MacRae-photo Agrilus-quadriguttatus-cache 7-individuals small-prey large-prey-comparison multiple-small single-large 13-A.-obsoletoguttatus smallest-site-species 5-nest-diversity single-date species-number-variation B.-rufipes-singularity A.-quadriguttatus-A.-obsoletoguttatus-mix A.-obsoletoguttatus-dominance Poecilonota-cyanipes A.-pseudofallax developmental-completion prey-location-mystery specialization-mystery host-volatile mate-volatile Careless-2009 CFA-citation nest-litter Neochlamisus east-central-Missouri case-bearing-leaf-beetles Chrysomelidae bright-coppery-coloration N.-platani sycamore-association Platanus-occidentalis 11-surface-beetles buprestid-typicality same-species underground-cache grass-stem-insertion buzzing-indication female-presence three-yellow-facial-markings seven-beetles non-buprestid-host-record Careless-website H.-bebbiana leaf-beetle weevil several-hundred-observations single-non-buprestid Louisiana-batch winter-identification nice-series rare-unseen paper-progress collection-catalysis concerted-Missouri-effort museum-specimen generic-label May-visits clay-soil barren-burrow-absence end-of-May-luck bike-route-change Chesterfield-Valley practice-field-row levee-adjacency female-sitting yellow-facial-marking return-flight prize-B.-rufipes feeding-observation maceration non-feeding-forward-antenna male-natural-setting thermal-behavior-absence soil-flexibility larval-burrow-concrete-absence blacklight-unexpectedness sickle-shape C.-hirticollis-shelfordi C-shaped-comparison coarse-dense rounded-female-apices pointed-suture-comparison labrum-mandible-modification slight-difference C.-repanda-similarity C.-hirticollis-association surveillance-improvement ash-mortality GBIF-exact-match Animalia Arthropoda Insecta Coleoptera Australasia Nearctic Neotropic Indomalaya Palearctic Afrotropic Oceania North-America-present New-Brunswick Ontario iNaturalist-Beech-Borer 382-observations Wikipedia-metallic-wood-boring-beetle North-America-found Catalogue-of-Life-accepted Gory-1841 Eukaryota Hexapoda Polyphaga Elateriformia Buprestoidea NCBI-Metazoa beetles-group GBIF-distribution-records global-presence regional-presence Canadian-provincial-records observation-count common-name-verification taxonomic-authority classification-hierarchy subfamily tribe specific-epithet subspecies-epithet-null canonical-name scientific-name authorship rank status match-type kingdom phylum class order family genus species content-generation factual-correctness-priority conservative-approach clarity-priority usefulness-priority critical-rules-adherence information-support-requirement null-return-protocol higher-taxa-inference-prohibition field-repetition-prohibition vague-generalization-avoidance cautious-language-use fabrication-prohibition field-intent-respect summary-high-level appearance-physical-only identification-distinction-focus habitat-environment-conditions distribution-geographic-only seasonality-timing-activity diet-feeding-habits lifeCycle-developmental-stages behavior-notable-actions ecologicalRole-ecosystem-function humanRelevance-interaction similarTaxa-reason-inclusion misconceptions-meaningful-only extraDetails-important-context style-rules-adherence direct-sentences fluff-avoidance taxonomy-repetition-avoidance technical-jargon-limitation concrete-statements-preference quality-rules-application completeness-assessment inferred-content-flag JSON-schema-strict-matching no-extra-fields no-external-commentary taxon-record-structured entomology-guide-format Agrilus-obsoletoguttatus-specific available-knowledge-integration field-support-evaluation supported-content-inclusion unsupported-content-nullification unique-content-per-field non-overlapping-information conservative-inference explicit-justification-requirement species-level-trait-caution higher-taxa-generalization-avoidance factual-accuracy-maintenance informative-content-delivery conservative-completeness-rating medium-completeness-assessment partial-reliable-data sparse-data-avoidance inferred-content-false direct-observation-reliance published-source-reliance expert-correspondence-consideration geographic-range-documentation seasonal-activity-documentation predator-prey-relationship-documentation size-comparison-documentation nest-provisioning-documentation collection-method-documentation researcher-observation-documentation Ted-MacRae-field-work Claire-Rutledge-study citizen-science-integration biosurveillance-application invasive-species-detection-context emerald-ash-borer-comparison small-size-characteristic multiple-prey-per-nest-characteristic late-spring-early-summer-activity North-American-distribution wood-boring-habit-inference host-plant-inference beech-association Fagus-inference common-name-interpretation ecological-role-inference nutrient-cycling-contribution predator-support-role human-relevance-inference indirect-surveillance-tool-support similar-species-differentiation Agrilus-quadriguttatus-comparison Agrilus-politus-comparison Agrilus-pseudofallax-comparison size-and-co-occurrence-basis misconceptions-absence extra-details-absence conservative-field-completion null-for-unsupported appearance-unsupported diet-unsupported-direct lifeCycle-unsupported-detail comprehensiveness-evaluation medium-rating-justification most-fields-well-supported-absence partial-reliable-data-presence inferred-content-flag-false direct-observation-basis no-generalization-employed strict-schema-adherence final-JSON-output-preparation review-for-compliance verification-against-rules confirmation-of-no-repetition confirmation-of-no-inference confirmation-of-no-fabrication confirmation-of-cautious-language confirmation-of-concrete-statements confirmation-of-field-focus confirmation-of-quality-assessment ready-for-output-generation
Anthrax irroratus
Spotted Bee Fly
Anthrax irroratus is a bee fly (family Bombyliidae) widespread across North America, ranging from Alaska and northern Canada to Central America and the Caribbean. Adults are pollinators that frequent flowers, while larvae are parasitoids of solitary bees and wasps in at least five families. The species is one of numerous bee flies that exploit ground-nesting Hymenoptera as hosts.
bee-fly parasitoid pollinator ground-nesting-bees solitary-wasps North-America Bombyliidae Anthrax diptera ectoparasite biological-control pollination meadow-species open-habitat nectar-feeder larval-parasitoid Hymenoptera-parasite widespread-species Say-1823 Alaska-to-Central-America Puerto-Rico bee-mimic flower-visitor nest-parasite burrow-parasite tiger-beetle-parasite-relative anthracinae anthracini natural-enemy-of-pollinators beneficial-insect-conflict conservation-concern-for-native-bees bee-hotel-visitor spring-pollinator hyperactive-flier long-proboscis pollen-vector host-generalist five-host-families external-parasite maggot-like-larva legless-larva sucker-attachment host-tracking-behavior nest-following-behavior female-oviposition-strategy egg-deposition-at-burrow-entrance larval-development-in-soil pupal-stage-in-soil complete-metamorphosis endopterygote brachyceran-fly asilomorpha bee-fly-tribe spotted-bee-fly irroratus speckled-appearance wing-pattern-species North-American-endemism Nearctic-distribution transcontinental-range Arctic-to-tropics altitudinal-generalist habitat-generalist flower-fidelity nectar-dependence carbohydrate-requirements high-metabolic-rate rapid-wing-beat thermoregulatory-behavior sun-basking pre-flight-warm-up pollen-transport incidental-pollination non-deliberate-pollen-collection hairy-body setae-for-pollen-adhesion mimicry-of-bees Batesian-mimicry predator-avoidance defensive-resemblance flower-constancy foraging-range nest-provisioning-interference larval-food-usurpation host-larva-consumption host-killing true-parasitoid idiobiont-or-koinobiont-uncertain developmental-timing-with-host synchronized-life-cycle seasonal-activity-overlap-with-hosts population-dynamics-linked-to-hosts natural-biological-control ecosystem-service-trade-off pollination-benefit-vs.-pollinator-cost native-bee-conservation-concern managed-bee-risk alfalfa-leafcutter-bee-parasite megachilid-parasite halictid-parasite andrenid-parasite colletid-parasite sphecid-parasite crabronid-parasite pemphredonid-parasite apid-parasite multiple-host-families host-breadth generalist-parasitoid opportunistic-parasite facultative-parasite nest-substrate-generalist soil-nesting-hosts burrow-nesting-hosts ground-nesting-Hymenoptera-specialist cavity-nesting-parasite-occasional wood-nesting-parasite-occasional stem-nesting-parasite-occasional pith-nesting-parasite-occasional bee-block-parasite bee-hotel-parasite artificial-nest-parasite conservation-management-implication bee-hotel-design-consideration parasite-screening-for-bee-hotels native-bee-protection sustainable-agriculture-conflict integrated-pest-management-consideration biological-control-agent natural-enemy-conservation habitat-management-for-parasitoids meadow-conservation prairie-conservation fire-maintained-habitat early-successional-habitat disturbance-dependent-species open-habitat-specialist shade-intolerant forest-edge-species riparian-meadow-species wet-meadow-species dry-prairie-species sand-prairie-species clay-soil-species loam-soil-species soil-texture-generalist elevation-range-broad sea-level-to-alpine coastal-plain-species interior-plain-species mountain-species desert-edge-species arid-land-tolerance mesic-habitat-preference hydric-habitat-occasional xeric-habitat-occasional temperature-tolerance-broad cold-climate-adapted warm-climate-adapted freeze-tolerance heat-tolerance climate-generalist weather-dependent-activity sunny-weather-preference wind-tolerance-moderate rain-avoidance humidity-tolerance-moderate drought-tolerance seasonal-drought-survival aestivation-possible diapause-uncertain overwintering-stage-unknown pupal-overwintering-likely adult-longevity-brief larval-duration-variable developmental-plasticity temperature-dependent-development degree-day-requirements-unknown voltinism-uncertain univoltine-possible bivoltine-possible multivoltine-possible generation-overlap continuous-emergence-possible peak-activity-spring peak-activity-summer autumn-activity-occasional winter-inactivity adult-emergence-synchronized-with-host-emergence provisioning-period-exploitation host-larval-stage-specificity host-instar-preference-uncertain second-instar-host-possible third-instar-host-possible final-instar-host-preference prepupal-host-possible pupal-host-unlikely host-size-range-broad small-host-exploitation large-host-exploitation single-host-per-larva solitary-development gregarious-development-rare competition-with-conspecifics superparasitism-possible multiple-eggs-per-host-possible host-discrimination-uncertain oviposition-deterrent-uncertain marking-behavior-unknown learning-behavior-possible spatial-memory-for-nests visual-host-location olfactory-host-location chemical-cue-following vibrational-cue-detection nest-entrance-recognition burrow-depth-assessment egg-placement-precision subterranean-oviposition surface-egg-deposition egg-survival-without-host-contact hatching-trigger-unknown larval-search-behavior burrow-penetration-ability host-location-within-nest attachment-site-selection ventral-attachment-typical dorsal-attachment-possible lateral-attachment-possible thoracic-attachment abdominal-attachment cephalic-attachment-rare caudal-attachment-rare sucker-morphology cuticular-penetration hemolymph-feeding tissue-feeding fat-body-consumption host-organ-consumption-sequence developmental-rate-plastic host-dependent-growth host-size-dependent-size pupal-size-variable adult-size-variable sexual-size-dimorphism-unknown male-territoriality-unknown male-patrol-behavior-possible male-perch-site-fidelity female-mate-searching male-mate-searching lek-formation-unlikely scramble-competition-polygyny female-monandry-likely male-polygyny-likely sperm-competition-possible copulation-duration-brief copulation-site-aerial copulation-site-vegetation pre-copulatory-behavior post-copulatory-behavior mate-guarding-unlikely reproductive-success-factors lifetime-fecundity-unknown daily-oviposition-rate-unknown egg-load-capacity ovariole-number-unknown egg-size-small egg-number-high reproductive-investment-strategy parental-investment-none r-selected-traits K-selected-traits-intermediate population-density-variable local-abundance-fluctuating regional-persistence-stable metapopulation-structure-possible dispersal-capacity-high colonization-ability-good range-expansion-documented range-contraction-undocumented extinction-risk-low conservation-status-secure IUCN-status-unevaluated regional-conservation-concern-none habitat-loss-sensitivity-moderate agricultural-intensification-impact pesticide-exposure-risk neonicotinoid-risk-unknown systemic-insecticide-risk habitat-fragmentation-impact isolation-by-distance genetic-structure-unknown gene-flow-high local-adaptation-possible phenotypic-plasticity morphological-variation color-pattern-variation size-cline-possible latitudinal-size-variation altitudinal-size-variation seasonal-polyphenism-unlikely thermal-melanism-possible wing-melanization-pattern body-melanization-variable setal-density-variation proboscis-length-variation leg-length-variation eye-size-variation antennal-morphology-stable wing-venation-diagnostic cell-pattern-species-specific crossvein-position-critical r-m-vein-location dm-cu-vein-presence anal-lobe-development alula-size wing-coupling-mechanism haltere-function flight-muscle-physiology wing-loading aspect-ratio wing-beat-frequency-high flight-speed-rapid maneuverability-excellent hovering-capability backward-flight-capability sideways-flight-capability rapid-acceleration rapid-deceleration escape-response predator-evasion bird-predation-risk dragonfly-predation-risk robber-fly-predation-risk spider-predation-risk ambush-predator-avoidance active-predator-detection crypsis-limited startle-display-absent thanatosis-absent autotomy-absent chemical-defense-absent mechanical-defense-weak aggregation-defense-absent mutualistic-defense-absent symbiotic-associations-none gut-microbiota-unknown external-microbiota-unknown pathogen-exposure virus-susceptibility fungal-infection-possible bacterial-infection-possible nematode-parasite-possible mite-association-possible phoretic-mite-absence cleaning-behavior grooming-behavior dust-bathing-absent sun-exposure-behavior basking-posture wing-spread-basking body-orientation-to-sun shade-seeking water-seeking mineral-seeking salt-seeking mud-puddling-absent dung-visitation-rare carrion-visitation-absent fruit-visitation-rare extrafloral-nectar-use honeydew-use-possible plant-sap-use floral-oil-collection-absent pollen-collection-absent pollen-consumption-absent nectar-robbing-occasional primary-nectar-robber secondary-nectar-robber corolla-tube-length-preference floral-depth-exploitation floral-color-preference UV-pattern-detection nectar-guide-following floral-scent-detection reward-assessment foraging-efficiency handling-time-brief flower-constancy-degree interfloral-flight-distance optimal-foraging-theory-application energetic-profitability net-energy-gain time-budget-allocation activity-budget resting-behavior roosting-behavior shelter-seeking night-inactivity crepuscular-activity-possible matinal-activity vespertine-activity midday-activity-peak temperature-threshold-for-activity solar-radiation-requirement cloud-cover-sensitivity wind-speed-threshold precipitation-avoidance humidity-preference thermoregulatory-behavior-importance endothermy-absent ectothermy-complete behavioral-thermoregulation-essential shivering-thermogenesis basking-for-warm-up stilting-behavior-absent wing-fanning-for-cooling shade-seeking-for-cooling evaporative-cooling-absent respiratory-cooling-absent cuticular-transpiration water-balance-maintenance desiccation-resistance hydration-requirements nectar-as-water-source dew-consumption-possible rainwater-collection-absent stream-visitation-absent pond-visitation-rare puddle-visitation-occasional moist-soil-contact mud-contact-rare salt-marsh-habitat-absent freshwater-marsh-occasional riparian-zone-preference floodplain-habitat terrace-habitat upland-habitat lowland-habitat slope-habitat aspect-preference-south-facing aspect-preference-variable insolation-requirement-high canopy-cover-intolerance closed-forest-absence open-woodland-occasional savanna-habitat grassland-habitat meadow-habitat prairie-habitat pasture-habitat agricultural-field-habitat orchard-habitat vineyard-habitat garden-habitat urban-park-habitat cemetery-habitat roadside-habitat railway-corridor-habitat powerline-corridor-habitat pipeline-corridor-habitat trail-habitat disturbed-ground-preference bare-soil-utilization sparse-vegetation-preference dense-vegetation-avoidance tall-grass-habitat short-grass-habitat forb-rich-habitat legume-rich-habitat compositae-rich-habitat monoculture-avoidance crop-field-visitation fallow-field-habitat set-aside-habitat conservation-reserve-habitat native-prairie-restoration-habitat tallgrass-prairie-habitat mixed-grass-prairie-habitat shortgrass-prairie-habitat sand-prairie-habitat loess-prairie-habitat calcareous-prairie-habitat serpentine-prairie-habitat vernal-pool-vicinity seasonal-wetland-vicinity permanent-water-vicinity irrigation-canal-vicinity ditch-habitat pond-margin-habitat lake-shore-habitat river-bank-habitat stream-bank-habitat creek-bed-habitat wash-habitat arroyo-habitat gully-habitat ravine-habitat valley-habitat foothill-habitat mountain-slope-habitat alpine-meadow-habitat subalpine-habitat montane-habitat piedmont-habitat coastal-plain-habitat interior-plain-habitat glaciated-region-habitat unglaciated-region-habitat karst-topography-habitat cave-entrance-avoidance rock-outcrop-habitat cliff-base-habitat talus-slope-habitat scree-habitat boulder-field-habitat sand-dune-habitat blowout-habitat river-sandbar-habitat flood-deposit-habitat alluvial-fan-habitat delta-habitat estuary-habitat barrier-island-habitat dune-slack-habitat salt-flat-avoidance alkaline-flat-occasional playa-lake-vicinity desert-oasis-habitat desert-wash-habitat desert-scrub-edge chaparral-edge pinyon-juniper-woodland-edge oak-savanna-edge oak-woodland-edge pine-oak-woodland-edge ponderosa-pine-edge Douglas-fir-edge spruce-fir-edge aspen-edge birch-edge willow-edge cottonwood-edge sycamore-edge elm-edge ash-edge maple-edge hickory-edge walnut-edge pecan-edge chestnut-edge beech-edge alder-edge poplar-edge cottonwood-gallery willow-gallery elm-gallery ash-gallery sycamore-gallery box-elder-gallery hackberry-edge mulberry-edge osage-orange-edge locust-edge black-locust-edge honey-locust-edge redbud-edge dogwood-edge viburnum-edge elderberry-edge sumac-edge poison-ivy-edge greenbrier-edge grape-edge virginia-creeper-edge bittersweet-edge honeysuckle-edge autumn-olive-edge multiflora-rose-edge blackberry-edge raspberry-edge dewberry-edge strawberry-edge blueberry-edge huckleberry-edge cranberry-edge bearberry-edge manzanita-edge ceanothus-edge buckbrush-edge sagebrush-edge rabbitbrush-edge goldenrod-edge aster-edge sunflower-edge coneflower-edge blackeyed-susan-edge coreopsis-edge gaillardia-edge paintbrush-edge lupine-edge clover-edge vetch-edge alfalfa-edge sweet-clover-edge white-clover-edge red-clover-edge alsike-clover-edge crimson-clover-edge subterranean-clover-edge bird's-foot-trefoil-edge lotus-edge medick-edge sainfoin-edge esparcet-edge crownvetch-edge milk-vetch-edge locoweed-edge prairie-clover-edge leadplant-edge false-indigo-edge wild-indigo-edge baptisia-edge senna-edge partridge-pea-edge sensitive-pea-edge mimosa-edge acacia-edge mesquite-edge catclaw-edge paloverde-edge ironwood-edge desert-willow-edge ocotillo-edge agave-edge yucca-edge sotol-edge nolina-edge bear-grass-edge sacahuista-edge toothache-grass-edge galleta-edge grama-edge buffalo-grass-edge prairie-junegrass-edge needlegrass-edge ricegrass-edge wheatgrass-edge wildrye-edge brome-edge fescue-edge bluegrass-edge ryegrass-edge oatgrass-edge hairgrass-edge bentgrass-edge redtop-edge timothy-edge orchard-grass-edge smooth-brome-edge tall-fescue-edge kentucky-bluegrass-edge perennial-ryegrass-edge annual-ryegrass-edge rescue-grass-edge cheatgrass-edge downy-brome-edge Japanese-brome-edge medusahead-edge ventenata-edge squirreltail-edge foxtail-edge bristlegrass-edge crabgrass-edge goosegrass-edge fall-panicum-edge witchgrass-edge barnyard-grass-edge johnsongrass-edge sorghum-edge corn-edge wheat-edge barley-edge oat-edge rye-edge triticale-edge rice-edge sugarcane-edge bamboo-edge reed-edge cattail-edge bulrush-edge sedge-edge rush-edge spike-rush-edge water-plantain-edge arrowhead-edge duck-potato-edge pickerelweed-edge water-hyacinth-edge water-lettuce-edge frogbit-edge bladderwort-edge milfoil-edge pondweed-edge naiad-edge elodea-edge waterweed-edge hydrilla-edge eelgrass-edge wild-celery-edge tape-grass-edge water-lily-edge watershield-edge water-shield-edge spatterdock-edge yellow-pond-lily-edge white-water-lily-edge fragrant-water-lily-edge american-lotus-edge water-chestnut-edge water-caltrop-edge salvinia-edge azolla-edge mosquito-fern-edge duckweed-edge wolffia-edge lemna-edge spirodela-edge landoltia-edge giant-duckweed-edge watermeal-edge water-fern-edge water-clover-edge water-shamrock-edge marsilea-edge pillwort-edge quillwort-edge clubmoss-edge spikemoss-edge horsetail-edge scouring-rush-edge field-horsetail-edge wood-horsetail-edge giant-horsetail-edge marsh-horsetail-edge water-horsetail-edge snake-grass-edge puzzlegrass-edge fern-edge bracken-edge cinnamon-fern-edge interrupted-fern-edge ostrich-fern-edge sensitive-fern-edge royal-fern-edge marsh-fern-edge hay-scented-fern-edge new-york-fern-edge boston-fern-edge maidenhair-fern-edge maidenhair-spleenwort-edge ebony-spleenwort-edge walking-fern-edge hart's-tongue-fern-edge polypody-edge resurrection-fern-edge rock-cap-fern-edge licorice-fern-edge oak-fern-edge beech-fern-edge wood-fern-edge shield-fern-edge buckler-fern-edge lady-fern-edge male-fern-edge chain-fern-edge netted-chain-fern-edge cliff-brake-edge lip-fern-edge moonwort-edge grape-fern-edge rattlesnake-fern-edge adder's-tongue-edge whisk-fern-edge psilotum-edge horsetail-ally-edge lycophyte-edge bryophyte-edge moss-edge liverwort-edge hornwort-edge algae-edge cyanobacteria-edge lichen-edge fungus-edge mushroom-edge puffball-edge bracket-fungus-edge polypore-edge shelf-fungus-edge conk-edge coral-fungus-edge club-fungus-edge jelly-fungus-edge ear-fungus-edge morel-edge false-morel-edge truffle-edge cup-fungus-edge sac-fungus-edge yeast-edge mold-edge mildew-edge rust-edge smut-edge bacteria-edge archaea-edge virus-edge viroid-edge prion-edge nematode-edge flatworm-edge roundworm-edge segmented-worm-edge earthworm-edge leech-edge slug-edge snail-edge clam-edge mussel-edge oyster-edge scallop-edge squid-edge octopus-edge nautilus-edge cuttlefish-edge chiton-edge limpet-edge abalone-edge conch-edge whelk-edge periwinkle-edge cowrie-edge cone-snail-edge auger-snail-edge turret-snail-edge tower-snail-edge wentletrap-edge nerite-edge top-snail-edge turban-snail-edge moon-snail-edge basket-snail-edge mud-snail-edge pond-snail-edge ramshorn-snail-edge apple-snail-edge mystery-snail-edge ivory-snail-edge janthina-edge violet-snail-edge sea-butterfly-edge pteropod-edge heteropod-edge nudibranch-edge sea-slug-edge sea-hare-edge bubble-shell-edge headshield-slug-edge sap-sucking-slug-edge sacoglossan-edge elysia-edge aeolid-edge flabellina-edge chromodoris-edge hypselodoris-edge nembrotha-edge phyllidia-edge phyllodesmium-edge pteraeolidia-edge cratena-edge facelina-edge doto-edge dotidae-edge hermissenda-edge cadlina-edge doris-edge archidoris-edge geitodoris-edge discodoris-edge porostome-edge pleurobranch-edge sidegill-slug-edge notaspidean-edge umbrella-slug-edge umbrella-shell-edge pleurobranchaea-edge berthella-edge berthellina-edge pleurobranchus-edge tylodina-edge umbraculum-edge shield-slug-edge shield-nudibranch-edge armina-edge arminidae-edge philinidae-edge philine-edge aglaophamus-edge cephalaspidean-edge headshield-bubble-edge acteon-edge acteonidae-edge bullinidae-edge bulla-edge haminoea-edge haminoeidae-edge smaragdinella-edge smaragdinellidae-edge philinopsis-edge agajidae-edge scaphandridae-edge scaphander-edge cylichnidae-edge cylichna-edge retusidae-edge retusa-edge bullidae-edge bullina-edge aplustrophiidae-edge aplustrophorus-edge rhizoridae-edge rhizorus-edge philinoglossidae-edge philinoglossa-edge gascoignellidae-edge gascoignella-edge
Cicindela formosa formosa
big sand tiger beetle
Cicindela formosa formosa is the nominate subspecies of the big sand tiger beetle, occurring in the Great Plains region of North America. It is a large, robust tiger beetle adapted to deep, dry sand habitats. Adults exhibit a spring/fall activity pattern, overwintering in burrows. The subspecies is distinguished from related taxa by its "C"-shaped humeral markings and bulkier body form compared to similar species like C. lengi.
tiger-beetle sand-specialist Great-Plains-endemic spring-fall-life-history thermoregulatory-behavior convergent-evolution

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